In Titus 2, Paul says that in everything, Christians are to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. I take this to mean that in every aspect of life, the conduct, attitudes and words of Christians ought to put on display the truth of the Gospel. Obviously the gospel must be declared for people to be saved, but a life adorning the Gospel reveals how beautiful the truth of Christ is, and commends that truth to others.So what kind of life adorns the Gospel? In Jerry Bridges' book The Discipline of Grace, he mentions 27 marks of a life that adorns the Gospel. Here they are:
1. Compassion
2. Considerateness
3. Contentment
4. Faith
5. Faithfulness
6. Forbearance
7. Forgiving spirit
8. Generosity
9. Gentleness
10. Godliness
11. Goodness
12. Honesty
13. Humility
14. Impartiality
15. Joy
16. Kindness
17. Love
18. Mercy
19. Patience
20. Peace
21. Perseverance
22. Purity
23. Righteousness
24. Self-Control
25. Sincerity
26. Submissiveness
27. Thankfulness
A pretty humbling list, right? Yet this is what we're called to pursue. How good to know we don't pursue it in our own strength, but in looking to the One who is the perfection of all these qualities: Christ.
Looks like a good back-bone for a family devotional study.
ReplyDeleteI might use it for that. Looking to instruct the children in the teaching of God's Word in those areas. Any ideas along those lines?
Jim W